HealthPartners - Your guide to pregnancy

JOINT PAIN During pregnancy, your joints may feel achy and loose when you walk. Gaining weight puts extra pressure on your knees. Swelling can increase stiffness in your hands, feet, hips, knees, and ankles. This stiffness makes you feel like you have arthritis. Swelling in your hands can also cause carpal tunnel syndrome or make existing symptoms worse. This condition produces pain and tingling in your fingers, especially at night. Helpful tips • Wear hand splints to relieve carpal tunnel syndrome • Lie down and rest during the day with your feet up • Reduce the salty foods in your diet • Eat foods rich in omega-3s (salmon, other oily fish) • Try heat and cold therapy (heating pads/ ice packs)

NAUSEA “Morning sickness” is the common term for feeling nauseous (sick to your stomach) and/or vomiting when you’re

pregnant. It can happen any time of the day and last anywhere from a few minutes to the entire day. Morning sickness usually starts after the first month and goes away after the third month of pregnancy. Some people will experience morning sickness throughout their entire pregnancy. Hyperemesis gravidarum is the most severe form of morning sickness. With this condition, nausea and vomiting can be serious enough to require medical treatment.

Call your health care provider if you: • Are losing weight (over 5 pounds over a week or two) • Have a dry mouth or unpleasant or fruity taste • Are not urinating very often, and your urine is dark and has an odor • Can’t keep food or liquid down for more than 24 hours • Are extremely tired, dizzy, or confused Tips to control morning sickness • Eat bread or crackers before you get out of bed • Eat cold, bland foods — nothing fried, greasy, or spicy • Have regular small meals or snacks during the day • Try ginger, lemonade, or mint tea • Chewable prenatal vitamins may cause less nausea

LEG CRAMPS Muscle cramps in your lower legs and feet are normal. They can happen at night and wake you up. If you have frequent, painful leg cramps or you notice redness and swelling in your legs or feet, call your provider right away. Helpful tips • Exercise or walk every day • Wear supportive shoes • Eat foods high in magnesium • Drink lots of water • Take a warm shower or bath • Ice packs may help

Your Guide to A Healthy Pregnancy 21